Hearing Program Officer (HPO) Appointment Memorandum (HPO)
The Hearing Program Officer (HPO) appointment memorandum is an AR 25-50 compliant memorandum used to formally designate a Soldier or DA Civilian to serve as the unit's Hearing Program Officer (HPO). It documents the appointee, references DA Pam 40-501 (Army Hearing Program), and is signed by the commander.
Generate HPO Appointment Memo Free →Regulation reference
When is the HPO memo needed?
Most Army units appoint a Hearing Program Officer (HPO) (HPO) when a new commander takes charge, when the previous appointee PCSes, ETSes, or is reassigned, or when the unit's mission set changes in a way that requires renewed appointment. The memo is also required for unit inspections — including CIP, CCIR, and command climate reviews — where the DA Pam 40-501 program is evaluated.
The appointment memorandum is the foundational document that establishes the appointee's authority under DA Pam 40-501. Without a current, signed appointment memo on file, the unit's Hearing Program Officer (HPO) program is non-compliant — even if the appointee has all required training certificates. Inspectors will look for: a signed memo with current date, a grade that meets E-5 (SGT) minimum, and training/certification documents matching the appointee on the memo.
On EvalMe, the HPO memo is one of 39 AR 25-50 templates that auto-cites the correct regulation, uses the proper format, and integrates with your unit's address book and signature blocks.
Required training for HPO
Documentation required on file
- Appointment memo signed by unit commander
- HPO Course completion certificate (CAOHC certification)
- DOEHRS-HC system access training certificate
- HPD fitting certification
- Unit Hearing Readiness/Conservation Program (HRCP) SOP
- Unit hearing testing roster (annual schedule)
- DD Form 2215 (Reference Audiogram) — for each soldier
- DD Form 2216 (Hearing Conservation Data) — for monitoring audiograms
- DA Poster 40-501A (posted in industrial/noise-hazardous areas)
- Records of issued hearing protective devices
What inspectors look for
Verify HPO appointment current. Verify HPO has current CAOHC certification. Verify annual hearing testing for all unit personnel (TOE units especially). Verify reference audiograms on file. Verify monitoring audiograms current. Check MEDPROS Hearing Readiness Classification (HRC) status. Verify hearing protective devices available and issued. Verify noise-hazardous areas have proper signage (85 dBA and 140 dBP contours). Confirm DA Poster 40-501A posted.
Additional notes
ARNG/USAR units coordinate hearing testing through state-level public health resources or installation MTFs during AT/drills. State J-1/J-9 manages AHP for ARNG. Audiologist (AOC 72C) typically appointed at state level as Hearing Program Manager (HPM). DA Pam 40-501 is pamphlet (not AR) — important distinction for regulatory citation.
Generate the HPO memo in seconds
EvalMe drafts AR 25-50 compliant appointment memorandums with the correct regulation citation, address block, and signature line — free, no credit card.
Open the Memo Generator →Other appointment memo types
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